windemere | Gathering of the Fellowship Con Report

The Gathering of the Fellowship Con Report
July 1-4 Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Firstly, I should point out that I’ve never done one of these things before, so please bear with me.
Despite a desire to spend the least amount of money possible, in the days leading up to the convention when word trickled down that the convention might not happen, I scrambled to update my registration to the highest (Silmaril) level. And then, having done so, realized there was no way I could make the 45 minute commute in and out of Toronto every day and still attend all the events.
Thank the Valar for GatheringFriendFinder on Yahoo. I found four wonderful roommates and the cheapest price I have ever paid for a hotel room.

Friday

I got into Toronto having taken the GO train directly from work. This meant, unfortunately, that I missed both a trip to Casa Loma that morning, and fabric shopping in the afternoon. On the upshot, I was wide awake and everyone else was dead on their feet.
Once we (read “roomies”) collected ourselves, scrambled to avoid the maids (we paid for 2 people and were rooming 5), off we tottered to registration. Good thing too, as they were rather unorganized (to be expected), though not busy. Registrations (finally!) in hand, at 9pm, down we went to dinner at the Traders restaurant in the Sheraton hotel lobby. Considering there were about 30 of us in the back room alone, the service was rather good. The prices, on the other hand, were rather painful. I swore not to eat the rest of the weekend to make up for it, and I pretty much didn’t.
By 11pm, trying to stay upright, we all crawled back to the room, hoping to get some sleep before the con started in the morning. How much sleep we actually got was rather debatable.

Saturday

We decided to get up early Saturday morning. At this point, I’m not entirely sure I remember why, but it was integral at the time. So off we trotted at 8 o’clock to scrounge some cheap food. The morning was rather enhanced when I glanced up from my croissant and starred as Craig Parker walked right on by, coffee cup in hand. I’ll make a note that he looked rather more awake than anyone else at the convention the entire four days.
Opening Ceremonies were delayed, by an hour. Which was fine, because everything got back on track fairly quickly afterwards. The opening was entitled “The Music of the Ainur” staring Thoth and Lingalad, and narrated by Kate Robinson (who was asked at the last minute – good job with the names Kate!). It was supposed to be done by Cliff Broadway, but Anthony and Jesse (the organizers) announced with their apologies that Cliff was stuck in an airport in LA, had been for two days, and had been told to go home and stop trying to catch a flight. Others kindly stepped up to take his place as MC, though I missed seeing him.
I won’t say much about the musical performance. Everyone seemed to have a very different opinion on it. Lingalad is one of my favourite groups. Thoth, though an amazing musical and singer, is really not my cup of tea. But considering they got together at midnight on Friday to put the show together, I’ll give them all my congratulations.
Now, an hour late, we rushed down to a costuming panel, already half way through, but informative none the less. I already have new costume ideas running around in my head.
Out of interest I went down to see “How to become a real Tolkien fan in 30 minutes”, not because I needed to, but because Craig was doing it. It was more than worth it. As a Tolkien scholar I hardly expected Marcel Bülles to be a comedian, but he and Craig played off each other quite well.
The afternoon panel was “Interpreting Tolkien & Lewis” and included almost all the guests. There were some wonderful insights, from the aspects of art, language, film and history. It is, as always, so delightful to hear different viewpoints on Tolkien’s works.
I skipped the next panel to get dressed for the picnic, but I am told the Auction was well attended and I think it raised about $1700!
One of my roommates kindly offered a ride down to the harbour to catch the ferry to Hanlan Island. Since it was rather a long walk, we took her up on it. It was sunny and beautiful when we left. By the time we settled down to dinner on the island, the northern sky was pitch black, the winds were picking up, and within half an hour it was raining.
We hit under what shelter there was for the better part of an hour, but it became obvious that the rains was not letting up; the decision was made to head back to the hotel.
The nice ferry people managed to get us all onto two ferries that departed at the same time, so we all arrived back roughly together.
The sun blossomed red on the horizon has we crossed the harbour, and there was blue sky by the time we collected back at the hotel. Figures.
Our musical entertainment for the weekend, Lingalad, fabulously offered to do an unexpected concert and there was much fun and dancing to be had.
We never even though about the Canada Day fireworks we were missing. Ah well, I’ve seen them before.

Sunday

Again, up by seven, and down to watch the preview trailer of Kate Robinson’s “Born of Hope” fan film. The story of Arathorn and Gilraen and the Dúnedain in the darkening years before Aragorn’s birth. She has already done a fantastic job, but has a long way to go yet. I look forward to the day I can sit down to watch the completed film.
www.bornofhope.com
The panel on “The Silmarillion for Dummies” was perhaps funnier than it should have been. Condensing such a history into a one hour presentation must have taken Marie Miesel ages, but she did a fine job. The running comments on the lack of sensibility of the entire House of Fëanor, were quite entertaining. I shall enjoy my next reading of the book immensely.
At this point there was a rush to change and collect ourselves and head off to the Princess of Wales to see LOTR on stage.
I should point out that I saw the production on May 26th. Enough time after the opening for most of the kinks to have been worked out. Unfortunately, I seemed to be the only person in the audience that night who understood it. There wasn’t even a standing ovation at the end! It’s the first time I’ve ever attended the theatre and not given a standing ovation. I felt it was a huge disservice to the actors, who did such a great job, and therefore could not wait to return 5 weeks later with 200 other Tolkien fanatics.
I was not disappointed. I laughed, I cried, I clapped till my palms burned, and at the end of it all, was proud to stand on my feet and congratulate them all for such an amazing achievement.
If anyone reading this has decided not to see it, either because of the cost or because you’ve been listening to the critics, DON’T. It is so worth it (in fact, it may be worth it again…). Things were changed; yes. It’s not the movies; yes. It’s not even the books. What it is is a much loved story, with fantastic acting, beautiful music, and a few scenes that still have me in awe. The producers seem to feel differently, but I wouldn’t change a thing. Especially not Evan Buliung who plays ‘Strider’. Yum.

Sit by the fire, lights glow
Tell us an old tale we know.
Tell of adventures strange and rare,
Never to change, ever to share.
Stories we tell will cast their spell,
Now and for always.

After the production was over, we scrambled outside with everyone else, eager for fresh air and a chance to discuss. And then someone; I think it was Nikki, suggested we go around to the stage door and see if any of the actors were about. Nikki, if it was you, God Bless! Merry, Gimli and Aragorn (Josh, Tyler and Evan) were happy to see us. And Tyler, who is adorable, thanked us for laughing when Gimli bids Frodo ‘Namarië’. Hard to believe, but we were the first audience to get it! We thanked them too, profusely; gave our condolences that the production was closing so soon in Toronto, and were treated in turn to pictures and autographs! A fond memory that I will carry with me as one of the high points of the weekend.
Now late for the next programming session (not that we minded), Marie and I hightailed it back to the hotel to see Ted Nasmith. Got to see some of his newest artwork and graciously thanked him for getting me interesting in art in highschool. I think I left him suitably surprised.
Exhausted, we skipped the next session and returned to the room. Deciding that what I was wearing was not suitably appropriate for pictures, I put on my velvet gown instead. Glad I did! Off we went to the VIP Reception (for Silmaril holders and Guests only). There was the NETS awards (North-East Tolkien Society), presented with the ‘help’ of Craig and Bruce. The awards, called the “Imperishable Flame” awards, were presented in the categories of creativity, fan appreciation…and something else. Glass Hammer were among the honorees. Amy Sturgis accepted the award for them, while Craig held up a lighter to symbolize the flame. But Amy went on, and on, and on. Craig must have burnt his finger!
We returned to the room and collapsed, though apparently we missed a Brandy and Chocolate party in the ballroom that went on till the wee hours of the morning.

Monday

Somehow, I dragged myself out of bed, got dressed and did my hair in the dark, and made it down to autographs by 9 o’clock. I was the 10th one in line. With fewer attendees this time, the autograph session were less formal, and there was a good chance to talk to both Bruce and Craig.
Let me point out that I do not get called beautiful by many people other than my parents. Bruce and Craig however, made my month when they both sincerely announced that I looked quite beautiful in my velvet gown. Bruce even wrote it in his autograph. ::gets dazed look on her face…again::
It was at this point, that people started asking to take my picture. Since I’m not very photogenic (read “at all”), I rather reluctantly agreed, but some of the photos turned out great!
Off I went to “From Cloaks to Coronation Gowns”, which was rather enlightening. Who knew you could do so much with a single twin bed sheet? Am very eager to get started on my next outfit!
There was a long lunch break, and then started an entire afternoon of Craig, Bruce and a lot of less than PG comedy. If anyone has seen them together, you understand. If you haven’t, DO. The first hour was “Personal Experiences” from the films, which I spent wishing I had brought a video camera. I cannot remember any specific quotes, and was laughing too hard to write anything down. Then followed an interview hour, conducted by Jessica, with Craig and Bruce. It was spoofed off “Inside the Actor’s Studio” and no mention of LOTR was made the entire hour! It was mostly about their early years/projects in the business and how they got started.
Some memorable quotes here follow:

Craig: “Do we all just not like Calgary? I like Calgary?” (so do I)

Bruce (on surfing): “I spend a lot of time underwater.”

Jesse: “What’s your least favourite sound?”
Bruce: “The phone not ringing.”

Jesse: “What’s your favourite word?”
Craig: “Moist.”
Bruce: “Now you’re making me moist.”

I mention this was not PG, right?

Craig talked a bit about the first theatre company he joined, Mercury Theatre.

Craig: “Especially in a company like this, and with actors like these, it becomes about destroying others performances.”

Craig: “It’s about surviving.”

Craig (on getting a ‘real’ job): “If you start earning money, you’re screwed. You realize you like not starving.”

And the last question:

Jesse: “What do you want St. Peter to say to you when he opens the Gates of Heaven?”
Craig: “Well, I don’t really think I’ll be seeing St. Peter.”
Bruce: “Well, Bruce, would you like another go?”

I skipped the second auction, though I’ve been told it raised $1500. Instead, we took a well earned break, and went to take photos in the waterfall gardens. We quickly discovered what great location it was (okay, so a little slow figuring this one out). Back to the room to freshen up and collect the roomies and then down again for a full photo shoot. Many others had the same idea. (Photo link at the bottom) We went until the dinner bell rang, and then sat down for the first real most of us had eaten in days. And then there was the costume contest. There were some amazing costumes!!! Craig did the readings for each of the 22 contestants. When the female dwarf came on stage, Craig happily announced: “The dwarf snores so loud we could have shot him in the dark.” It was so unexpected it too awhile for us to recover.
When ‘Strider’ came out, Craig did a wonderful impression of dying (he’s rather got it down to an art now ). ‘Strider’ just laughed and cheered. We died again.
Jesse, Anthony, and Ed thanked us all for making the weekend so special. And Craig thank them, on behalf of us all. Lingalad got up to play once more, and I stayed for a few songs, but finally gave up and returned to the room. I had to get up early to return to reality.

Tuesday

It dawned overcast and rainy; a good day to leave. But it was movie marathon day, and despite the fact I had to be at work at 10:30, off I went to watch the prologue and cheer when Gil-galad came on…I am such a fangirl. Then I t was off to the train station and back to work.
I lasted until noon, and then pleaded sick and went home. I should have just stayed to watch the whole movie and explained it to my boss later…

Well, that’s it friends. It was a fantastic weekend, one I shall never forget. I met lots of new friends, and some old ones too.
So cheers; to friends, to good times, and to Tolkien, whom we owe our eternal gratitude.

Namarië.

Amy H./Aromene

Photos: http://s58.photobucket.com/albums/g242/Aromene/